Drain cover for maintaining water at a predetermined height

ABSTRACT

A drain cover and drain cover system are disclosed. The drain cover includes a flange portion that rests on a bottom of a body designed for use with running water, such as a bathtub or shower. The drain cover overlays a drain on the body to prevent water from going down the drain until the water exceeds a predetermined height in the body. Further, the drain cover does not require fasteners to maintain it in place, instead relying upon hydrostatic pressure applied to the drain cover by the water and friction between the drain cover and the body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to drain covers and, more particularly, to a single or multi-head drain cover that permits water to elevate in a tub or shower to various fixed heights while allowing the water to flow in unencumbered, without the risk of overflow.

There currently exists fixed water height issues in tubs and showers. Specifically, there is no effective way of controlling a maximum water height in a tub or shower. Conventional tub drains are either open or closed. When open, water drains from the tub. When closed, water will continue to fill in the tub unless the water is turned off, often resulting in the tub overflowing, even with a tub overflow interceptor. Overfilling of a tub is of particular concern as it relates to the safety of a child, i.e., too high of a water height increases the likelihood a child might become submerged in the water and drown. Further, conventional drains are oftentimes difficult for a child to open to drain the water in the tub.

Other devices that are available have only two heights and are prone to being dislodged due to subpar securing methods (such as relying solely on frictional engagement within a tub drain. Moreover, they are specifically configured only for a bathtub, and they require the removal of the bathtub drain plug to operate. For these reasons, they do not work well, as well as because they are not able to be quickly and easily removed from the tub. Further, they do not allow for overflow protection.

As can be seen, there is a need for a drain cover that ameliorates these aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves fixed water height issues in tubs and showers, and it makes it easier for children to drain the shower or tub on their own. This drain cover, when used correctly in conjunction with a fully operational tub or shower drain system, does not allow the water to overfill.

In one aspect of the present invention, a drain cover is configured to sit over a drain in a body and comprises: a substantially planar flange configured to sit on a bottom surface of the body and to extend around a circumference of the drain; and an upper wall extending upwardly from the flange and configured to prevent water from going down the drain up to a predetermined height of the water, the flange and the upper wall defining an opening for permitting the water to go down the drain when the water exceeds the predetermined height, wherein the flange and the upper wall are configured to be held in place over the drain by substantially only hydrostatic pressure applied by the water and friction between the flange and the bottom surface of the body.

In another aspect of the present invention, a drain cover system comprises: a body comprising a drain, the body being configured to receive water therewithin; and a drain cover comprising: a substantially planar flange that sits on a bottom surface of the body and extends around a circumference of the drain; and an upper wall extending upwardly from the flange and configured to prevent water from going down the drain up to a predetermined height of the water, the flange and the upper wall defining an opening for permitting the water to go down the drain when the water exceeds the predetermined height, wherein the flange and the upper wall are configured to be held in place over the drain by substantially only hydrostatic pressure applied by the water and friction between the flange and the bottom surface of the body.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following figures are included to illustrate certain aspects of the present disclosure and should not be viewed as exclusive embodiments. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modifications, alterations, combinations, and equivalents in form and function, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, shown in use in a tub;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a section view of the embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a section view of the embodiment of the present invention, similar to FIG. 3 , showing water at an elevated level and draining into the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a section view of a modified embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a tall crown configuration of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a section view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The subject disclosure is described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure such that one skilled in the art will be enabled to make and use the present invention. It may be evident, however, that the present disclosure may be practiced without some of these specific details.

Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is a drain cover for a body (e.g., a tub or shower). Using hydrostatic pressure (and resultant friction between the drain cover and the tub from the hydrostatic pressure), the drain cover of the present invention seals against a drain and allows water to rise to a predetermined height (note that this term is also synonymous with “predetermined water level”) before falling over the top of the drain cover and into the drain. Because hydrostatic pressure is used to hold the drain cover in place, no fasteners are required, and works equally well in showers and tubs. While gravitational forces will also, of course, contribute to holding the drain cover in place, the primary forces to retain the drain cover in place will by the hydrostatic pressure applied to an upper portion thereof and frictional engagement between a lower portion of the drain cover and the tub/body the drain cover is disposed in. To remove, the drain cover may be gently pulled, pushed, or otherwise moved off the drain for the standing water to flow out.

As mentioned above, the only other similar apparatus to the present invention is a fixed item that replaces a bathtub stopper. The present invention requires no modifications, may be embodied as fixed or adjustable height apparatuses, and may be provided with different head types. The present invention is advantageous compared to the prior art for many reasons. For example, no manipulation of plumbing is required. It can also be provided in several heights and will not allow the shower or tub to overfill, even if the water is continuously running.

Referring to FIG. 1 , an installed drain cover 10 of the present invention is shown, in-use, in an exemplary body (e.g., a bathtub 28) that includes drain 24, and receives water 26 therewithin. As shown in FIG. 2 , in certain embodiments the drain cover 10 may be a molded single piece apparatus made from, for example, rubber or polyurea, and includes an annular flange at a bottom end thereof. Those with skill in the art will recognize that other appropriate materials may be used in accordance with the present invention.

The upper extending wall of the drain cover 10 may shaped as an inwardly leaning (i.e., tapers towards a radial center of the cover as you move up the upper extending portion) circumferential/annular wall with alternating peaks and valleys at an upper end thereof. In certain embodiments, this appearance may resemble the form of a Bundt cake. Those with skill in the art that the cover 10 may be formed in various shapes/forms to achieve the ends discussed herein. The cover 10 may even be shaped to resemble various aquatic elements, such as a shark. The valleys provide a focal point for water 26 to channel in a tighter line. Further, the peak is the maximum level the water 26 can go, and the valley (as shown) is slightly lower. This configuration provides indication that, if the water 26 fills over the peak, the drainage isn't occurring fast enough and the water 26 will rise above the present invention and drain 24 emptying capacity, meaning more water 26 is coming in than going out. This serves as an additional safety indicator to allow an individual to adjust the amount of water 26 coming in via, for example, a faucet.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , these valleys are configured to funnel water 26 that is filling into the tub 28 down the drain 24 of the tub 28. Consequently, the distance from a bottom of the cover 10 to the valleys/recessed portions results in the water 26 cascading down the drain 24 once the water 26 reaches a predetermined height in the tub 28. If the faucet is left open, the height of the water 26 will never exceed the predetermined height, thanks to the cover 10 of the present invention. Once a user turns off the faucet, the water 28 will remain at the predetermined height, as shown in FIG. 3 , until a user removes the cover 10 from the drain 24 by overcoming the hydrostatic forces the water 28 applies to the cover 10.

This predetermined height may be changed in a number of ways to permit different water levels in the tub 28. One exemplary range of predetermined heights is between 1 inch water height and 12 inch water height; however, those with skill in the art will appreciate that other appropriate heights may be used, in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5 , one way this may be achieved is by providing a number of different in height covers, such as a tall cover 12 which is taller in height than the first cover 10 described. Besides the taller height, the tall cover 12 may otherwise be embodied in the same form (such as including a flange 17). In a similar manner, and as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the cover may be embodied with a detachable upper section 14 that connects to a flange 18 (formed from, for example, a hard or soft plastic) via a connecting member 20 with a sealing ring 22. In this embodiments, the upper section 14 may connect either by screwing or by snapping on. Accordingly, a common flange 18 may be selectively used with various height upper sections 14 to achieve the desired water height.

In use, the cover 10 (and other covers described above) may be placed over top a drain 24 and maintained in place until a shower or bath is completed. It is advantageous in these scenarios since a doctor-recommended height of standing water 26 in a tub 28 is approximately two inches. As water 26 flows into the tub 28, once it reaches a predetermined height of the upper portion of the cover 10, excess water 26 cascades down the drain 24. The inwardly leaning upper wall of the cover 10 serves to direct hydrostatic pressure from the water 26 in a partially downwards direction (i.e., the sloped surface results in a vertical component to the force vector). This downwards component, in addition to the downwards hydrostatic pressure applied to the flange 16, retains the drain cover 10 in place over the drain 24. When the shower or bath is completed, the cover 10 is simply removed (or moved so as to not cover the drain 24), allowing the rest of the water 26 to drain from the tub 28. Besides showers or baths, it may also be used while cleaning a tub 28 or other apparatus that includes a drain, or any application with a drain where it would be preferable to have water accumulate on a surface at a specified height for a period of time.

As would be readily apparent to those with skill in the art from the foregoing, various methods may be used to make the present invention. First, types and sizes of showers/tubs should be determined such that a flange that covers all or most of these showers/tubs can be designed and manufactured. Several embodiments may be prototyped and tested, with a final design then selected. It may be tooled out of aluminum and produced in a factory that works with rubber injection. An appropriate rubber that maximizes contact, durability, safety, and color capability is selected, and the drain cover can be then injection molded.

While one or more preferred embodiments are disclosed, many other implementations will occur to one of ordinary skill in the art and are all within the scope of the invention. Each of the various embodiments described above may be combined with other described embodiments in order to provide multiple features. Furthermore, while the foregoing describes a number of separate embodiments of the apparatus and method of the present invention, what has been described herein is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Other arrangements, methods, modifications, and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are therefore also considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the claims that follow.

While apparatuses and methods are described in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” various components or steps, the apparatuses and methods can also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various components and steps. All numbers and ranges disclosed above may vary by some amount. Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of the form, “from about a to about b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a to b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a-b”) disclosed herein is to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values.

Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. Moreover, the indefinite articles “a” or “an,” as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the elements that it introduces. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patent or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted. Moreover, the use of directional terms such as above, below, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, and the like are used in relation to the illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in the figures, the upward or upper direction being toward the top of the corresponding figure and the downward or lower direction being toward the bottom of the corresponding figure.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the terms “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list (i.e., each item). The phrase “at least one of” allows a meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or at least one of any combination of the items, and/or at least one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or at least one of each of A, B, and C. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A drain cover configured to sit over a drain in a body, the drain cover comprising: a substantially planar flange configured to sit on a bottom surface of the body and to extend around a circumference of the drain; and an upper wall extending upwardly from the flange and configured to prevent water from going down the drain up to a predetermined height of the water, the flange and the upper wall defining an opening for permitting the water to go down the drain when the water exceeds the predetermined height, wherein the flange and the upper wall are configured to be held in place over the drain by substantially only hydrostatic pressure applied by the water and friction between the flange and the bottom surface of the body.
 2. The drain cover of claim 1, wherein the flange and the upper wall are annular shaped.
 3. The drain cover of claim 1, wherein the upper wall tapers inwardly as the upper wall extends away from the flange.
 4. The drain cover of claim 1, wherein the upper wall defines an uppermost surface, and the uppermost surface comprises alternating peaks and valleys.
 5. The drain cover of claim 4, wherein the valleys are disposed at the predetermined height, relative to a bottom surface of the flange, such that the valleys are configured to permit the water to go down the drain when the water is at the predetermined height.
 6. The drain cover of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of an uppermost surface of the upper wall is disposed at the predetermined height, relative to a bottom surface of the flange, such that the at least a portion is configured to permit the water to go down the drain when the water is at the predetermined height.
 7. The drain cover of claim 1, wherein the flange and the upper wall are integral with one another and formed from a rubber or polyurea material.
 8. The drain cover of claim 1, wherein the flange and the upper wall are separable from one another.
 9. The drain cover of claim 1, wherein the flange comprises an upwardly extending connecting member for directly coupling with an inner portion of the upper wall.
 10. A drain cover system comprising: a body comprising a drain, the body being configured to receive water therewithin; and a drain cover comprising: a substantially planar flange that sits on a bottom surface of the body and extends around a circumference of the drain; and an upper wall extending upwardly from the flange and configured to prevent water from going down the drain up to a predetermined height of the water, the flange and the upper wall defining an opening for permitting the water to go down the drain when the water exceeds the predetermined height, wherein the flange and the upper wall are configured to be held in place over the drain by substantially only hydrostatic pressure applied by the water and friction between the flange and the bottom surface of the body. 